The Emperor of the Three Realms

chapter 96

Of the 108 dukes, more than half had already publicly sided with the Duke of Soaring Dragon.    

“The remaining half of the dukes must be loyal to me. Despite the forty-sixty split, I have the Tiandu army, the city guards, the royal personal guards, as well as the royal experts and the elite personal guards of the palace officials. My strength will absolutely not be lower than the Duke of Soaring Dragon.”    

Eastern Lu was calculating the strength of his opponent. As long as the other dukes were loyal to him, and he added the trump card the royal family had, what need would he fear for the Soaring Dragon Duke?    

Of course, Eastern Lu had still not let go of his illusions until now. He still dreamed of forcing others to give up without a fight.    

It was just that, the reality was much more cruel than he thought. The other dukes who entered the palace one by one only numbered between twenty and thirty.    

That is, the neutral attitude of the other twenty to thirty dukes was quite clear. They would not side with Soaring Dragon, but they would also not listen to the royal family's deployment.    

For Eastern Lu, this neutral duke was a disaster for the royal family.    

However, the twenty to thirty dukes who entered the palace were true friends of the Eastern clan. They were loyal supporters of the East. They also knew that if the Eastern clan was defeated, it would be the end of their journey as well. Once the Duke of Soaring Dragon seized power, he would absolutely not allow them to live a free and unfettered life.    

Their gains have long been attributed to the royal family's gains. No matter whether they wanted to or not, they had to render service to the royal family until death.    

If the royal family continued to live, their wealth and prosperity would also continue.    

If the royal family ceased to exist, their family clan, without a doubt, would be annihilated and replaced by the noble family behind them, who observed their position with a greedy look.    

Of the four grand dukes, the Duke of Vermillion Bird clearly sided with the Duke of Soaring Dragon.    

The White Tiger Duke and Black Tortoise Duke sided with the royal family.    

These twenty dukes were now looking towards the White Tiger Duke and Black Tortoise for guidance. With two huge pillars strengthening them, it gave them a little bit of confidence.    

“Your Highness, the Duke of Soaring Dragon's rebellion is now a fact. According to the thoughts of your subject, we should benefit by attacking first, and by deploying the Tiandu army, city guards, royal personal guards, and royal experts to suppress the Soaring Dragon Duke. Otherwise, the capital will be in great danger the moment their troops arrive.”    

“Duke of White Tiger speaks wisely. If we suppress the Duke of Soaring Dragon right now, not only are our strengths not too weak, we are even slightly stronger than him!”    

Eastern Lu pondered. He tragically discovered that this battle seemed inevitable and could not be delayed. His plan to delay until the eldest grandfather came out of his closed-door training would not work.    

“Brother, the Duke of Soaring Dragon's personal bodyguard has gone berserk in the streets of the capital and is harassing the citizens. Are you going to sit still?” Princess Gouyu was also very agitated lately, and frantically rushed in.    

“Gouyu, great time. We are in discussions with various dukes..”    

“My brother, the capital will change owners if you continue to discuss. They were searching and capturing Jiang family members right now, how could this not terrorize the other dukes as well? If he really captured a member of the Jiang family, what would the other dukes' opinions and feelings be? Even if they had a loyal inclination to the royal family, would they have the courage to go against the threatening attitude of the Duke of Soaring Dragon?”    

Princess Gouyu was furious. He was angry that his brother did not listen to him, and actually withdrew the Tiandu army when Long Yinye surrounded Jiang Han's palace earlier.    

After he made the wrong move, the balance of the sky immediately tilted. The royal family was severely disadvantaged thereafter, and lost the hearts of its people.    

Although these dukes declared their allegiance to the royal family, it was not because they were loyal, but because their advantage was too tied to the royal family and inseparable.    

Why would they have to fight alongside the royal family if they had a way out?    

“Your Majesty, the Jiang family is a member of the royal family but has gone missing and fled at this critical moment. You should not care too much about the remains of the family who decided to escape on the brink of battle.” Some dukes spoke up.    

Princess Gouyu's phoenix eyes glared, “What do you mean escape before battle? The Jiang family was unable to turn things around alone. Without the protection of the royal family, is a wise choice to avoid profits.”    

“Heh heh, after being fed and paid by our ruler, we must be faithful and follow every thought and step of our subordinates. If Jiang Feng is willing to fight to the death with the Soaring Dragon Duke, then I will think highly of him...who does not know how to escape?”    

Eastern Lu also nodded. “Gouyu, the actions of the Jiang family have caused us great disappointment. We want to suppress the Duke of Soaring Dragon, but have no obligations towards the Jiang family.”    

Gouyu was silent. His heart sank to the bottom after hearing Eastern Lu's words. He knew that no one could convince his brother.    

What nonsense made the Jiang family's actions disappoint him? Why didn't he think about how much his previous actions had disappointed the Jiang family?    

Gouyu smiled bitterly, her expression terrible. “My sister, if you want me to fight to the death, your sister will obey your orders at any time. Your brother will not be involved in this business of manners anymore.”    

There is nothing more sad than a dead heart. Princess Gouyu could see the shadow of the ruler of a dead country in Eastern Lu. He saw the shadow of a worried failure.    

“Gouyu, you must remember to stand by my side at this time. Don't dwell on those random thoughts again. Jiang Chen fled before the brink of battle, you don't need to think about it anymore.”    

Princess Gouyu's mouth was filled with a bitter taste. He was struck, but said nothing as he walked out.    

At this moment, a shrill bird chirp sounded out from the air, with a loud shout heard from above. “Lu East, come out.”    

It was Jiang Chen.    

A trace of shock and excitement flashed in Gouyu's almond-like eyes. Did Jiang Chen finally change his mind and be willing to help his brother in suppressing the Soaring Dragon Duke?    

“That's Jiang Chen.” All the dukes heard Jiang Chen's voice.    

Eastern Lu's face was purple. This Jiang Chen dared to mention his name without any manners that his superior subordinates had to obey.    

A sharp metallic sound hit the ground smashing into the stone steps of the palace.    

Everyone looked towards the voice and saw a gold medal inlaid with jade. The design is unique and is the epitome of the dukedom.    

“Lu East, take back this dukedom medal. Since then, my Jiang family has severed all ties with your Eastern family and we will no longer be in contact with each other in the future.”    

Jiang Chen's voice rang far away as he rode the Goldwing Swordbird, occupying a high place. He was extremely invincible in the air, causing Eastern Lu and the other dukes to feel a little embarrassed by their awkward appearance.    

“Jiang Chen, you were fed and paid by the king, yet you escaped before the edge of battle. Jiangmu Family..”    

Jiang Chen turned to leave after he finished speaking.    

“Jiang Chen.” Princess Gouyu's heart aches. Tears gathered at the corner of his eyes as he cried out miserably, “Is there nothing more we can do? I beg you, help me once more.”    

Princess Gouyu was an arrogant and stubborn person. The background is very inspiring and the cultivation is high. When did he ever ask someone?    

But, right now, he was begging Jiang Chen with tears on his face.    

“Gouyu, I can help you escape the sea of fire that is the capital, but I will not help that cowardly Eastern Lu.”    

Eastern Lu's face was burning.    

“Jiang Chen, you and the Duke of Soaring Dragon are at a blood feud. Even if you don't help my Eastern clan, you should at least put aside your differences and help us fight against the Duke of Soaring Dragon together.” Princess Gouyu tried to persuade again.    

“Long Zhaofeng? Heh heh, he is just a rotten bone in a grave. If his Long family wins this battle, of course I have a way to exterminate the Long family. What is the need for me to cooperate with Eastern Lu?”    

Princess Gouyu felt a complicated mix of feelings. Of all these people, he knew Jiang Chen the most and knew that there were too many secrets hidden within him.    

He was convinced that Jiang Chen really had the power to eliminate Long Zhaofeng. Except, with the current circumstances, what was the reason Jiang Chen had to help the Eastern clan?    

“Jiang Chen...” Princess Gouyu said sadly. “Treat as if my Eastern clan has wronged you. I only have one request to ask, can you take Ruo'er away from here? If you can, please take care of her for the rest of her life.”    

“That I can do.” Jiang Chen nodded.    

Eastern Lu snorted coldly. “Jiang Chen, what do you need for us to look after our daughter? My Eastern Clan has many methods to suppress traitor Long Zhaofeng. How could my royal family's daughter be someone who could be corrupted by an uncivilized person like you?”    

“Brother kingdom!” Princess Gouyu was shocked. He cut off the last retreat.    

It was true, Jiang Chen's expression darkened. “Gouyu, if you need me to look after Princess Zhiruo, find a way to contact me. I'm going."    

Gouyu's body collapsed and she sat down miserably on the stone steps, her heart dying like ashes.    

He had also completely surrendered to Eastern Lu.    

The search and capture of the Duke of Soaring Dragon became even more ruthless. The whole city was in chaos. Bodies were seen lying everywhere on the streets.    

When rules and legislation lose their power, violent factions will rampage beyond the control of – like wild beasts that come out of their enclosure – and cause countless disasters.    

People started dying in the capital. Many have died.    

Killing and robbing. The noise was so loud that chickens and dogs could not rest. Ghosts wail and wolves howl. There is no peace day or night.    

It was fortunate that the place that Qiao Baishi had arranged was extremely remote and they did not have to worry that place would be found soon. Except, with this kind of method continuing, Jiang Chen was also worried that the Hall of Healing could withstand it.    

He thought, and still decided to keep the initiative in his hands.    

He immediately deployed a large number of Golden Winged Sword Birds and Silver Wings to enter the city at night, getting rid of all the core family members that were still inside the capital within the several groups.    

Under the cover of the night, the mobility of the air forces was quite high. Everyone has been sent out of town within two hours.    

After a futile search for days, the movement eventually turned into a rebellion.    

That night, the Tiandu army and the elite Soaring Dragon Dukes experienced their first conflict.    

Following which, the two commanders of the city guards announced their loyalty to the Duke of Soaring Dragon. The city guards cracked from within.    

After that, one of the commanders suddenly rebelled while carrying out his duties within the palace. He brought his troops to attack the palace and met with the royal personal guards in a fierce battle.    

The capital became very chaotic in the space of one night.    

Jiang Chen, at this moment, had detached himself from the situation and felt quite comfortable. His people had left the capital and the Swordbirds main force had mostly arrived.    

Once he gave the order, they would enter the capital. Whether it was the Duke of Soaring Dragon, or the royal family, he would be able to suppress them within two hours.    

Merely, his fight had not been deadlocked for too long. Eastern Lu had never expected that the Tiandu army and the city guards, entities he had always considered loyal subordinates, would be divided by the Soaring Dragon Duke.    

The Tiandu Army and the city guards were rife with internal strife, thus greatly reducing the royal family's combat power.    

Long Zhaofeng had made a lot of preparations in the dark for this coup and had recruited many experts. Their battle power was not the slightest bit subpar compared to the royal family's retainer experts.    

The royal experts are bound. That meant the reduction of one trump card for Eastern Lu.    

Three days later.    

The outer defensive line of the palace had been penetrated. The Eastern clan and the royal personal guards held out at the core of the palace with a death grip, making their final defense. The personal guards of those loyal to the royal family had basically been annihilated.    

The dukes had retreated to the palace within the Eastern clan, fighting hard to the end.    

The outskirts of the palace, three levels inside and three levels outside, had been completely surrounded.    

The Eastern Clan was on the verge of collapse.